[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 250 (Wednesday, December 31, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 75418-75423]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-32108]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

30 CFR Part 914

[IN-153-FOR; Administrative Cause No. 02-034R]


Indiana Regulatory Program

AGENCY: Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Interior.

ACTION: Final rule; approval of amendment.

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SUMMARY: We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement 
(OSM), are approving an amendment to the Indiana regulatory program 
(Indiana program) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act 
of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). The Indiana Department of Natural Resources 
(IDNR or Indiana) proposed revisions to and additions of rules 
concerning protection of ground water quality. Indiana revised its 
program to provide additional safeguards for ground water.

EFFECTIVE DATE: December 31, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew R. Gilmore, Director, 
Indianapolis Field Office. Telephone: (317) 226-6700. Internet address: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background on the Indiana Program
II. Submission of the Amendment
III. OSM's Findings
IV. Summary and Disposition of Comments
V. OSM's Decision
VI. Procedural Determinations

I. Background on the Indiana Program

    Section 503(a) of the Act permits a State to assume primacy for the 
regulation of surface coal mining and reclamation operations on non-
Federal and non-Indian lands within its borders by demonstrating that 
its State program includes, among other things, ``a State law which 
provides for the regulation of surface coal mining and reclamation 
operations in accordance with the requirements of this Act * * * and 
rules and regulations consistent with regulations issued by the 
Secretary pursuant to this Act.'' See 30 U.S.C. 1253(a)(1) and (7). On 
the basis of these criteria, the Secretary of the Interior 
conditionally approved the Indiana program effective July 29, 1982. You 
can find background information on the Indiana program, including the 
Secretary's findings, the disposition of comments, and the conditions 
of approval, in the July 26, 1982, Federal Register (47 FR 32071). You 
can also find later actions concerning the Indiana program and program 
amendments at 30 CFR 914.10, 914.15, 914.16, and 914.17.

II. Submission of the Amendment

    By letter dated September 3, 2003 (Administrative Record No. IND-
1719), IDNR sent us an amendment to its program under SMCRA (30 U.S.C. 
1201 et seq.). IDNR proposed to amend its program by adding new 
definitions, application requirements, and performance standards 
concerning the protection of ground water quality. IDNR is amending the 
Indiana program because the Indiana Groundwater Protection Act of 1989 
(Indiana Code (IC) 13-18-17) requires any State agency with 
jurisdiction over an activity that may affect the quality of Indiana's 
ground water to adopt rules to apply the groundwater quality standards 
established by the Indiana Water Pollution Control Board (WPCB). In 
accordance with IC 13-18-17, WPCB adopted ground water quality 
standards at 327 Indiana Administrative Code (IAC) 2-11. WPCB's rule at 
327 IAC 2-11-2 specifically requires IDNR to adopt rules to apply the 
standards established in 327 IAC 2-11 to the facilities, practices, and 
activities it regulates.
    We announced receipt of the proposed amendment in the October 15, 
2003, Federal Register (68 FR 59352). In the same document, we opened 
the public comment period and provided an opportunity for a public 
hearing or meeting on the adequacy of the amendment. We did not hold a 
public hearing or meeting because no one requested one. The public 
comment period ended on November 14, 2003. We received comments from 
one industry group, one citizens group, and one Federal agency.

III. OSM's Findings

    Following are the findings we made concerning the amendment under 
SMCRA and the Federal regulations at 30 CFR 732.15 and 732.17. We are 
approving the amendment as described below.

A. Definitions

    Indiana added the definitions discussed below from WPCB's 
definitions at 327 IAC 2-11-3(5), (8) and (11). Indiana added these 
definitions to help in implementing its new performance standards 
concerning the protection of ground water quality at 312 IAC 25-6-12.5 
and 25-6-76.5.
    1. At 312 IAC 25-1-45.5, Indiana is adding the following definition 
for ``drinking water well.''

    ``Drinking water well,'' for the purposes of 312 IAC 25-6-12.5 
and 312 IAC 25-6-76.5, means a bored, drilled, or driven shaft or a 
dug hole that meets each of the following:
    (1) Supplies ground water for human consumption.
    (2) Has a depth greater than its largest surface dimension.
    (3) Is not permanently abandoned under 312 IAC 13-10-2.

    Although there is no direct Federal counterpart definition for a 
drinking water well, Indiana's proposed definition is not inconsistent 
with the Federal definition of ``drinking, domestic, or residential 
water supply'' at 30 CFR 701.5. The Federal definition means, in part, 
water received from a well for direct human consumption or household 
use. Therefore, we are approving Indiana's definition at 312 IAC 25-1-
45.5.
    2. At 312 IAC 25-1-60.5, Indiana is adding the following definition 
for ``Ground water management zone.''

    ``Ground water management zone'' means a three (3) dimensional 
region of ground water around a potential or existing contaminant 
source where a contaminant is or was managed to prevent or mitigate 
deterioration of ground water quality such that the criteria 
established in 312 IAC 25-6-12.5(a) or 312 IAC 25-6-76.5(a) are met 
at and beyond the boundary of the region.

    There is no Federal counterpart definition for the term ``ground 
water management zone.'' However, Indiana's proposed definition is not 
inconsistent with sections 515(b)(10) and 516(b)(9) of SMCRA or the 
Federal requirements at 30 CFR 816.41 and 817.41 concerning protection 
of the hydrologic balance, including ground water quality protection. 
Therefore, we are approving Indiana's definition at 312 IAC 25-1-60.5.
    3. At 312 IAC 25-1-109.5, Indiana is adding the following 
definition for ``Property boundary.''

    ``Property boundary,'' for the purposes of 312 IAC 25-6-12.5 and 
312 IAC 25-6-76.5, means the edge of a contiguous parcel of land 
owned by or leased to the permittee. Contiguous land shall include 
land separated by a public right-of-way, if that land would 
otherwise be contiguous.

    There is no Federal counterpart definition for the term ``property 
boundary.'' However, Indiana's proposed definition is not inconsistent 
with the Federal definition of ``permit area'' at 30 CFR 701.5 or the 
Federal requirements concerning permit

[[Page 75419]]

boundaries at 30 CFR 779.24 and 783.24. Therefore, we are approving 
Indiana's definition at 312 IAC 25-1-109.5.

B. Surface Mining Permit Applications

    1. At 312 IAC 25-4-43, Indiana is adding subdivision (4). This new 
subdivision requires the maps and plans of the proposed permit and 
adjacent areas to include all monitoring locations used to demonstrate 
compliance with 312 IAC 25-6-12.5.
    There is no direct Federal counterpart to subdivision (4). However, 
the proposed provision is not inconsistent with the requirements of the 
Federal regulations at 30 CFR 780.21(i) concerning ground water 
monitoring plans. The Federal regulation at 30 CFR 780.21(i)(1) 
requires the ground water monitoring plan to include identification of 
site locations for ground water monitoring. Therefore, we are approving 
312 IAC 25-4-43(4).
    2. At 312 IAC 25-4-47(b), protection of hydrologic balance, Indiana 
is adding subdivision (9). This new subdivision requires the 
reclamation plan to contain a description, with appropriate maps and 
cross section drawings, of a plan to demonstrate compliance with 312 
IAC 25-6-12.5.
    Although there is no direct Federal counterpart to subdivision (9), 
the proposed provision is not inconsistent with the requirements of the 
Federal regulation at 30 CFR 780.21(h) concerning hydrologic 
reclamation plans. The Federal regulation at 30 CFR 780.21(h) requires 
the hydrologic reclamation plan to contain steps to be taken to meet 
applicable Federal and State water quality laws and regulations. 
Therefore, we are approving 312 IAC 25-4-47(b)(9).

C. Underground Mining Permit Applications

    1. At 312 IAC 25-4-85(b), protection of hydrologic balance, Indiana 
is adding subdivision (8). This new subdivision requires the 
reclamation plan to contain a description, with appropriate maps and 
cross section drawings, of a plan to demonstrate compliance with 312 
IAC 25-6-76.5.
    Although there is no direct Federal counterpart to subdivision (8), 
the proposed provision is not inconsistent with the requirements of the 
Federal regulation at 30 CFR 784.14(g) concerning hydrologic 
reclamation plans. The Federal regulation at 30 CFR 784.14(g) requires 
hydrologic reclamation plans to contain steps to be taken to meet 
applicable Federal and State water quality laws and regulations. 
Therefore, we are approving 312 IAC 25-4-85(b)(8).
    2. At 312 IAC 25-4-93, Indiana is adding subdivision (4). This new 
subdivision requires the maps and plans of the proposed permit and 
adjacent areas to include all monitoring locations used to demonstrate 
compliance with 312 IAC 25-6-76.5.
    Although there is no direct Federal counterpart to subdivision (4), 
the proposed provision is not inconsistent with the requirements of the 
Federal regulation at 30 CFR 784.14(h) concerning ground water 
monitoring plans. The Federal regulation at 30 CFR 784.14(h)(1) 
requires the ground water monitoring plan to include identification of 
site locations for ground water monitoring. Therefore, we are approving 
312 IAC 25-4-93(4).

D. Surface Mining--Hydrologic Balance; Ground Water Quality Standards

    Indiana is adding a new rule at 312 IAC 25-6-12.5 to read as 
follows:

    312 IAC 25-6-12.5 Hydrologic balance; application of ground 
water quality standards at surface coal mining and reclamation 
operations permitted under IC 14-34 on which coal extraction, 
including augering, coal processing, coal processing waste disposal, 
or spoil deposition, occurs after the effective date of this 
section, or on which disposal activity subject to IC 13-19-3-3 has 
occurred and the area is not fully released from the performance 
bond required by IC 14-34-6.
    (a) Ground water is classified under 327 IAC 2-11 to determine 
appropriate criteria that shall be applied to ground water.
    (b) Surface coal mining and reclamation operations must be 
planned and conducted to prevent violations of ground water quality 
standards under 327 IAC 2-11.
    (c) Surface coal mining and reclamation operations must be 
planned and conducted to prevent impacts to the ground water in a 
drinking water well or a nondrinking water supply well, including an 
industrial, commercial, or agricultural supply well, that result in 
a contaminant concentration that, based on best scientific 
information, renders the well unusable for its current use. If a 
drinking water well or a nondrinking water supply well is affected 
by contamination, diminution, or interruption proximately resulting 
from surface mining activities, 312 IAC 25-4-33 and 312 IAC 25-6-25 
govern water replacement.
    (d) The ground water management zone described in 327 IAC 2-11-9 
must be established as follows:
    (1) At each drinking water well that is within three hundred 
(300) feet from the edge of any of the following:
    (A) A coal extraction area.
    (B) A coal mine processing waste disposal site if not within a 
coal extraction area.
    (C) An area where coal is extracted by auger mining methods.
    (D) A location at which coal is crushed, washed, screened, 
stored, and loaded at or near the mine site unless the location is 
within the coal extraction area.
    (E) A spoil deposition area.
    (2) Within three hundred (300) feet from the edge of an area or 
site described in subdivision (1) where there is no drinking water 
well that is within three hundred (300) feet from the edge of an 
area or site described in subdivision (1). If the property boundary 
or permit boundary is located within three hundred (300) feet from 
the edge of an area or site described in subdivision (1), the 
director shall require that a monitoring well be placed at a 
location approved by the director between the property boundary or 
permit boundary and the edge of an area or site described in 
subdivision (1). If a standard listed in 327 IAC 2-11 is exceeded at 
a monitoring well described in subdivision (2) that the director 
determines was caused by an activity under subdivision (1), the 
permittee must submit to the director a plan describing, in detail, 
the steps to be taken to prevent material damage to the hydrologic 
balance beyond the permit boundary and a timetable for 
implementation. This plan must be submitted within thirty (30) days 
of the discovery of an exceedance and include information relative 
to access, additional monitoring, and any measures to be taken to 
minimize changes to the prevailing hydrologic balance and to prevent 
material damage to the hydrologic balance beyond the permit 
boundary.
    (3) If a drinking water well is located within three hundred 
(300) feet of an area or site described in subdivision (1) and it is 
determined that there is a substantial likelihood of impact, the 
director may require that a monitoring well be placed at a location 
approved by the director between the drinking water well and the 
edge of an area or site described in subdivision (1). If a standard 
listed in 327 IAC 2-11 is exceeded at a monitoring well described in 
subdivision (3) that the director determines was caused by an 
activity under subdivision (1), the permittee shall submit to the 
director a plan describing, in detail, the steps to be taken and a 
timetable for taking the action that takes into account site-
specific conditions to provide protection for the drinking water 
well. This plan must be submitted within thirty (30) days of the 
discovery of an exceedance and include information relative to 
access, additional monitoring, and any measures to be taken to 
minimize changes to the prevailing hydrologic balance and to prevent 
material damage to the hydrologic balance beyond the permit 
boundary.
    (e) The criteria established in subsection (a) must be met at 
and beyond the boundary of the ground water management zone.

    There is no direct Federal counterpart to the proposed regulation 
at 312 IAC 25-6-12.5. However, we find that the requirements of 312 IAC 
25-6-12.5 are not inconsistent with Section 515(b)(10) of SMCRA or the 
Federal regulations at 30 CFR 780.21(h) and 816.41(a), concerning 
protection of the hydrologic balance. The Federal regulation at 30 CFR 
780.21(h), concerning hydrologic reclamation plans, requires plans to 
contain steps to be taken to meet

[[Page 75420]]

applicable Federal and State water quality laws and regulations. 
Section 515(b)(10) of SMCRA and the Federal regulation at 30 CFR 
816.41(a) allow the regulatory authority to require additional 
preventative, remedial, or monitoring measures to assure that material 
damage to the hydrologic balance outside the permit area is prevented. 
Therefore, we are approving 312 IAC 25-6-12.5.

E. Underground Mining--Hydrologic Balance; Ground Water Quality 
Standards

    Indiana is adding a new rule at 312 IAC 25-6-76.5 to read as 
follows:

312 IAC 25-6-76.5 Underground mining; hydrologic balance; 
application of ground water quality standards at underground coal 
mining and reclamation operations permitted under IC 14-34 on which 
coal extraction, coal processing, coal processing waste disposal, or 
underground development waste and spoil deposition occurs after the 
effective date of this section, or on which disposal activity 
subject to IC 13-19-3-3 has occurred and the area is not fully 
released from the performance bond required by IC 14-34-6.
    (a) Ground water is classified under 327 IAC 2-11 to determine 
appropriate criteria that shall be applied to ground water.
    (b) Underground coal mining and reclamation operations must be 
planned and conducted to prevent violations of ground water quality 
standards under 327 IAC 2-11.
    (c) Underground coal mining and reclamation operations must be 
planned and conducted to prevent impacts to the ground water in a 
drinking water well or a nondrinking water supply well, including an 
industrial, commercial, or agricultural supply well, that result in 
a contaminant concentration that, based on best scientific 
information, renders the well unusable for its current use. If a 
drinking water well or a nondrinking water supply well is affected 
by contamination, diminution, or interruption proximately resulting 
from surface mining activities, 312 IAC 25-4-74 and 312 IAC 25-6-88 
govern water replacement.
    (d) The ground water management zone described in 327 IAC 2-11-9 
must be established as follows:
    (1) At each drinking water well that is within three hundred 
(300) feet from the edge of any of the following:
    (A) A coal mine processing waste disposal site.
    (B) A location at which coal is crushed, washed, screened, 
stored, and loaded at or near the mine site.
    (C) An underground development waste and spoil deposition area.
    (2) Within three hundred (300) feet from the edge of an area or 
site described in subdivision (1) where there is no drinking water 
well that is within three hundred (300) feet from the edge of an 
area or site described in subdivision (1). If the property boundary 
or permit boundary is located within three hundred (300) feet from 
the edge of an area or site described in subdivision (1), the 
director shall require that a monitoring well be placed at a 
location approved by the director between the property boundary or 
permit boundary and the edge of an area or site described in 
subdivision (1). If a standard listed in 327 IAC 2-11 is exceeded at 
a monitoring well described in subdivision (2) that the director 
determines was caused by an activity under subdivision (1), the 
permittee must submit to the director a plan describing, in detail, 
the steps to be taken to prevent material damage to the hydrologic 
balance beyond the permit boundary and a timetable for 
implementation. This plan must be submitted within thirty (30) days 
of the discovery of an exceedance and include information relative 
to access, additional monitoring, and any measures to be taken to 
minimize changes to the prevailing hydrologic balance and to prevent 
material damage to the hydrologic balance beyond the permit 
boundary.
    (3) If a drinking water well is located within three hundred 
(300) feet of an area or site described in subdivision (1) and it is 
determined that there is a substantial likelihood of impact, the 
director may require that a monitoring well be placed at a location 
approved by the director between the drinking water well and the 
edge of an area or site described in subdivision (1). If a standard 
listed in 327 IAC 2-11 is exceeded at a monitoring well described in 
subdivision (3) that the director determines was caused by an 
activity under subdivision (1), the permittee shall submit to the 
director a plan describing, in detail, the steps to be taken and a 
timetable for taking the action that takes into account site-
specific conditions to provide protection for the drinking water 
well. This plan must be submitted within thirty (30) days of the 
discovery of an exceedance and include information relative to 
access, additional monitoring, and any measures to be taken to 
minimize changes to the prevailing hydrologic balance and to prevent 
material damage to the hydrologic balance beyond the permit 
boundary.
    (e) The criteria established in subsection (a) must be met at 
and beyond the boundary of the ground water management zone.

    There is no direct Federal counterpart to the proposed regulation 
at 312 IAC 25-6-76.5. However, we find that the requirements of 312 IAC 
25-6-76.5 are not inconsistent with Section 516(b)(9) of SMCRA or the 
Federal regulations at 30 CFR 784.14(g) and 817.41(a), concerning 
protection of the hydrologic balance. The Federal regulation at 30 CFR 
784.14(g), concerning hydrologic reclamation plans, requires plans to 
contain steps to be taken to meet applicable Federal and State water 
quality laws and regulations. Section 516(b)(9) of SMCRA and the 
Federal regulation at 30 CFR 817.41(a) allow the regulatory authority 
to require additional preventative, remedial, or monitoring measures to 
assure that material damage to the hydrologic balance outside the 
permit area is prevented. Therefore, we are approving 312 IAC 25-6-
76.5.

IV. Summary and Disposition of Comments

Public Comments

    On October 15, 2003, we asked for public comments on the amendment 
(68 FR 59352), and received comments from one industry group and one 
citizens group.
    Industry Group. We received comments from the Indiana Coal Council, 
Inc. (ICC) on October 31, 2003 (Administrative Record No. IND-1723). 
ICC commented that the proposed amendment is not inconsistent with any 
provision of SMCRA or of OSM's permanent program regulations, and 
should be approved. ICC also commented that the proposed amendment 
would not repeal or revise the requirement of Indiana's counterpart to 
30 CFR 816.41(a) that surface mining and reclamation activities be 
conducted to prevent material damage to the hydrologic balance outside 
the permit area. ICC provided support for these comments.
    We agree with ICC's comments. As shown above in section III, OSM's 
Findings, we found that the provisions of Indiana's proposed amendment 
are not inconsistent with SMCRA or the Federal regulations concerning 
protection of the hydrologic balance.
    Citizens Group. We received comments from the Hoosier Environmental 
Council (HEC) on November 14, 2003 (Administrative Record No. IND-
1724).

HEC Comment 1

    The rules make no mention of wells used for purposes other than 
human consumption. The Indiana Ground Water Quality Standards state 
`No person shall cause the ground water in a non-drinking water 
supply well, including an industrial, commercial, or agricultural 
supply well, to have a contaminant concentration that, based on best 
scientific information, renders the well unusable for it current 
use.' 327 IAC 2-11-2 Sec. 2(f) Despite this requirement, a 
definition is only provided for drinking water wells, and no mention 
is made in the rules about protection of non-drinking water supply 
wells.
    A definition for non-drinking water supply wells should be 
included in these rules. Language should be inserted requiring the 
protection of the use of these wells. While not used for human 
consumption, these wells are an important resource to their owners 
including farmers who often rely on ground water for irrigation and 
livestock. Farmers would be especially hard hit by the cost of 
replacing these wells with municipal water or other water supplies.

    Response to Comment 1. We disagree with the commenter. Indiana's 
proposed rules do require protection for nondrinking water supply 
wells.

[[Page 75421]]

Specifically, Indiana's proposed rules at 312 IAC 25-6-12.5(c) for 
surface mining and 25-6-76.5(c) for underground mining provide that 
coal mining and reclamation operations must be planned and conducted to 
prevent impacts to the ground water in a drinking water well or a 
nondrinking water supply well, including an industrial, commercial, or 
agricultural supply well. The operations must prevent impacts to the 
ground water that result in a contaminant concentration that, based on 
best scientific information, renders the well unusable for its current 
use. These rules also provide remedies if a drinking water well or a 
nondrinking water supply well is affected by contamination, diminution, 
or interruption proximately resulting from mining activities. Indiana's 
rules at 312 IAC 25-4-33 and 312 IAC 25-6-25 govern water replacement 
for surface mining activities and 312 IAC 25-4-74 and 312 IAC 25-6-88 
govern water replacement for underground mining activities. Although 
Indiana did not add a definition for non-drinking water supply wells, 
neither did the Water Pollution Control Board in its rules at 327 IAC 
2-11.

HEC Comment 2

    The rule sets no provisions for minimizing ground water 
contamination within the mine itself. Indiana's Surface Mining 
Control and Reclamation Act (I-SMCRA), Ind. Code Sec.  14-34 et 
seq., requires mine operators to `Minimize disturbances to the 
prevailing hydrologic balance at the mine site and associated 
offsite areas and to the quality and quantity of water in surface 
and ground water system during and after surface coal mining and 
reclamation operations.' (IC 14-34-10-2(13)) Under the proposed 
rule, no standards will apply within the ground water management 
zone. Under the IDEM [Indiana Department of Environmental 
Management] ground water standards, the standard for these areas 
becomes the amount of pollution caused by mining upon bond release. 
Thus these rules do not enforce the requirement to minimize the 
pollution of mine waters within mined properties.

    Response to Comment 2. Indiana's proposed rules are in addition to 
Indiana's existing rules for the protection of the hydrologic balance 
at 312 IAC 25-6, which apply to the entire permit area and adjacent 
areas. The proposed rules do not replace or restrict the requirements 
of IC 14-34-10-2(13) or of Indiana's implementing rules at 312 IAC 25-
6-12 and 25-6-21 through 25-6-23.

HEC Comment 3

    The provisions of federal and state mining law in concerns to 
ground water contamination will be enforced by the standards set by 
this proposed rule. Under its current language, it does not comply 
with the requirements of SMCRA and I-SMCRA of minimizing pollution 
within the mine boundaries and preventing pollution outside of the 
permit boundary.

    Response to Comment 3. We disagree with the commenter. As discussed 
in our response to Comment 2 above, the proposed rules do not replace 
or restrict Indiana's existing rules concerning protection of the 
hydrologic balance, including ground water. Although Indiana's proposed 
rules at 312 IAC 25-6-12.5 and 25-6-76.5 will specifically enforce the 
ground water quality standards under 327 IAC 2-11, Indiana's existing 
rules enforce the hydrologic balance standards, including ground water, 
required by SMCRA and I-SMCRA.

Federal Agency Comments

    On September 9, 2003, under 30 CFR 732.17(h)(11)(i) and section 
503(b) of SMCRA, we requested comments on the amendment from various 
Federal agencies with an actual or potential interest in the Indiana 
program (Administrative Record No. IND-1720). The U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service responded on October 8, 2003 (Administrative Record 
No. IND-1721), that it had no specific comments on the program 
amendment.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Concurrence and Comments

    Under 30 CFR 732.17(h)(11)(ii), we are required to get a written 
concurrence from EPA for those provisions of the program amendment that 
relate to air or water quality standards issued under the authority of 
the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.) or the Clean Air Act (42 
U.S.C. 7401 et seq.). None of the revisions that Indiana proposed to 
make in this amendment pertain to these air or water quality standards. 
Therefore, we did not ask EPA to concur on the amendment.
    On September 9, 2003, under 30 CFR 732.17(h)(11)(i), we requested 
comments on the amendment from EPA (Administrative Record No. IND-
1720). EPA did not respond to our request.

State Historical Preservation Officer (SHPO) and the Advisory Council 
on Historic Preservation (ACHP)

    Under 30 CFR 732.17(h)(4), we are required to request comments from 
the SHPO and ACHP on amendments that may have an effect on historic 
properties. On September 9, 2003, we requested comments on Indiana's 
amendment (Administrative Record No. IND-1720), but neither responded 
to our request.

V. OSM's Decision

    Based on the above findings, we approve the amendment Indiana sent 
us on September 3, 2003.
    We approve the rules proposed by Indiana with the provision that 
they be fully promulgated in identical form to the rules submitted to 
and reviewed by OSM and the public.
    To implement this decision, we are amending the Federal regulations 
at 30 CFR part 914, which codify decisions concerning the Indiana 
program. We find that good cause exists under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to 
make this final rule effective immediately. Section 503(a) of SMCRA 
requires that the State's program demonstrate that the State has the 
capability of carrying out the provisions of the Act and meeting its 
purposes. Making this rule effective immediately will expedite that 
process. SMCRA requires consistency of State and Federal standards.

VI. Procedural Determinations

Executive Order 12630--Takings

    The revisions made at the initiative of the State that do not have 
Federal counterparts have been reviewed and a determination made that 
they do not have takings implications. This determination is based on 
the fact that the provisions have no substantive effect on the 
regulated industry.

Executive Order 12866--Regulatory Planning and Review

    This rule is exempted from review by the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) under Executive Order 12866.

Executive Order 12988--Civil Justice Reform

    The Department of the Interior has conducted the reviews required 
by section 3 of Executive Order 12988 and has determined that this rule 
meets the applicable standards of subsections (a) and (b) of that 
section. However, these standards are not applicable to the actual 
language of State regulatory programs and program amendments because 
each program is drafted and promulgated by a specific State, not by 
OSM. Under sections 503 and 505 of SMCRA (30 U.S.C. 1253 and 1255) and 
the Federal regulations at 30 CFR 730.11, 732.15, and 732.17(h)(10), 
decisions on proposed State regulatory programs and program amendments 
submitted by the States must be based solely on a determination of 
whether the submittal is consistent with SMCRA and its implementing 
Federal regulations and whether the other requirements of 30 CFR parts 
730, 731, and 732 have been met.

[[Page 75422]]

Executive Order 13132--Federalism

    This rule does not have Federalism implications. SMCRA delineates 
the roles of the Federal and State governments with regard to the 
regulation of surface coal mining and reclamation operations. One of 
the purposes of SMCRA is to ``establish a nationwide program to protect 
society and the environment from the adverse effects of surface coal 
mining operations.'' Section 503(a)(1) of SMCRA requires that State 
laws regulating surface coal mining and reclamation operations be ``in 
accordance with'' the requirements of SMCRA, and section 503(a)(7) 
requires that State programs contain rules and regulations ``consistent 
with'' regulations issued by the Secretary pursuant to SMCRA.

Executive Order 13175--Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal 
Governments

    In accordance with Executive Order 13175, we have evaluated the 
potential effects of this rule on Federally-recognized Indian tribes 
and have determined that the rule does not have substantial direct 
effects on one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the 
Federal Government and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes. 
This determination is based on the fact that the Indiana program does 
not regulate coal exploration and surface coal mining and reclamation 
operations on Indian lands. Therefore, the Indiana program has no 
effect on Federally-recognized Indian tribes.

Executive Order 13211--Regulations That Significantly Affect the 
Supply, Distribution, or Use of Energy

    On May 18, 2001, the President issued Executive Order 13211 which 
requires agencies to prepare a Statement of Energy Effects for a rule 
that is (1) considered significant under Executive Order 12866, and (2) 
likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, 
distribution, or use of energy. Because this rule is exempt from review 
under Executive Order 12866 and is not expected to have a significant 
adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy, a 
Statement of Energy Effects is not required.

National Environmental Policy Act

    This rule does not require an environmental impact statement 
because section 702(d) of SMCRA (30 U.S.C. 1292(d)) provides that 
agency decisions on proposed State regulatory program provisions do not 
constitute major Federal actions within the meaning of section 
102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 
4332(2)(C)).

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This rule does not contain information collection requirements that 
require approval by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 
3507 et seq.).

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Department of the Interior certifies that the provisions in 
this rule that are not based upon counterpart Federal regulations will 
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). 
This determination is based upon the fact that the provisions are not 
expected to have a substantive effect on the regulated industry.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

    This rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2), the Small 
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. This rule: (a) Does not 
have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million; (b) Will not 
cause a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual 
industries, Federal, State, or local government agencies, or geographic 
regions; and (c) Does not have significant adverse effects on 
competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the 
ability of U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based 
enterprises. This determination is based upon the fact that the State 
provisions are not expected to have a substantive effect on the 
regulated industry.

Unfunded Mandates

    This rule will not impose an unfunded mandate on State, local, or 
tribal governments or the private sector of $100 million or more in any 
given year. This determination is based upon the fact that the State 
provisions are not expected to have a substantive effect on the 
regulated industry.

List of Subjects in 30 CFR Part 914

    Intergovernmental relations, Surface mining, Underground mining.

    Dated: December 4, 2003.
Charles E. Sandberg,
Acting Regional Director, Mid-Continent Regional Coordinating Center.

0
For the reasons set out in the preamble, 30 CFR part 914 is amended as 
set forth below:

PART 914--INDIANA

0
1. The authority citation for part 914 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq.

0
2. Section 914.15 is amended in the table by adding a new entry in 
chronological order by ``Date of final publication'' to read as 
follows:


Sec.  914.15  Approval of Indiana regulatory program amendments.

* * * * *

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Original amendment submission
             date                  Date of final publication                                       Citation/description
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
September 3, 2003............  December 31, 2003................  312 IAC 25-1-45.5, 60.5, 109.5; 25-4-43(4), 47(b)(9), 85(b)(8), 93(4); 25-6-12.5,
                                                                   76.5.
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[FR Doc. 03-32108 Filed 12-30-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-05-P